Rio de Janeiro , Brazil -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Soldiers patrolling the streets , barely-begun construction sites and sewage-soaked waterways . The 2016 Olympic Games are still two years away , but the list of problems appears to be growing .

The situation in Rio de Janeiro is so dire that the International Olympic Committee Vice President John Coates lashed out in April , calling preparations the `` the worst that I have experienced . ''

He had cited several problems , including water quality , social tensions and delayed venues , particularly the Deodoro Olympic Park , the second-biggest venue , where construction has n't even begun . He later toned down his comments .

As Brazil prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of international fans to the World Cup in one week 's time , it has to ensure the world it will also be ready for the Olympics two years later .

The delays are exaggerated , says the director of communications for Rio 's Local Organizing Committee , called Rio 2016 .

`` They decided to raise the yellow flag because they were probably scared we would be wasting time watching the World Cup , '' Mario Andrada told CNN in a recent interview . `` But there is zero risk that the venues wo n't be ready for the Games . ''

Rio 2016 says 38 % of the sites are done , including 11 that are already operational , including the MaracanÃ # Stadium which will host the World Cup Final .

Preparing for 2016

Progress at construction sites varies widely .

Out in the beachside suburb of Barra da Tijuca , where many of the events will be held , the Olympic Village is at an advanced stage , with huge blocks of apartments being erected .

At the nearby main Olympic Park , the foundations have been laid , but construction has n't progressed much further .

As for Deodoro , where the BMX , whitewater kayaking and rugby events will be held , construction is n't even expected to start until the second half of this year , but Andrada says they can quickly make up for lost time .

`` Deodoro started late , even you could say more than six months late , but Deodoro is very simple to get organized , '' he said . `` The construction there is very easy . ''

Out on Guanabara Bay , the site of Olympic sailing and windsurfing events , plastic bags and old tennis shoes bob around in the water .

Brazilian sailing gold medalist Eduardo Penido showed us the garbage boats that remove the flotsam from the area of play .

`` It 's a problem but not for sailing , '' he said . `` It 's a problem for the environment . ''

According to biologist Mario Moscatelli , the bigger problem is what you ca n't see .

`` You 're going to put high-performance athletes in this water , that is n't even water , it 's a toilet , '' he said during an interview overlooking the Marina Gloria , which will serve as the base for the Olympic sailing events .

The stench of raw sewage wafted as he spoke .

`` I hope authorities do what they promised , because beyond being an environmental and public health problem , it 's a national embarrassment . ''

Even the best estimates from city officials say only 49 % of Rio homes are connected to sewage lines .

Rio de Janeiro 's mayor , Eduardo Paes , says the athletes run no health risks , but admits the promised cleanup wo n't be complete before the Olympics .

`` This is not going to be a problem for the games . This is a problem for us , '' he said . `` I always think the Olympics are a good excuse to get things done and i think we missed an opportunity . ''

Tackling crime

On the security front , authorities launched a so-called police pacification program back in 2008 aimed at forcing drug gangs out of the notoriously dangerous shantytowns or favelas . Police have moved into dozens of slums with mixed success .

While crime rates in the shantytowns have broadly come down , there has been backlash from some residents and a resurgence in crime that prompted authorities to call in the army for help earlier this year , further denting Rio 's reputation .

At this point , it 's too early to tell if the Olympics will face the same kind of widespread protests and discontent leveled at the World Cup .

According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center , 61 % of those interviewed said they think hosting the World Cup is a bad thing because it takes money away from schools , health care and other public services .

The Olympics budget has ballooned to $ 16 billion , but officials say it 's a different story , because private money is largely being used to finance the venues .

`` Most of the public money is being spent not on venues , not on fancy stadiums , but on legacy , on transportation , on sewage , '' said Paes , Rio 's mayor , pointing to the extensive bus corridors that the city has already begun , that connects venues and isolated areas of the city .

He 'll have two years to convince Brazil and the world .

After the World Cup ends on July 13 , all eyes will be on Rio 's Olympic Games .

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As Brazil readies for World Cup , issues linger in Rio for Olympics two years away

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Rio came under criticism by IOC vice president , but local organizers say the delays are exaggerated

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Rio 2016 says 38 % of the Olympic sites are done